Local student to be a witness to history

Published 1:00 am, Wednesday, January 14, 2009

One New Milford young woman in Washington D.C. is about to see the "culmination of what has become one of the greatest moments" of her life.

Lorella Praeli campaigned in the New Hampshire primary for
Barack Obama
a year ago, fought disappointment when then-Sen.
Hillary Clinton
won, and now is in Washington to witness the ascendant moment when President-elect Obama is sworn into office on Tuesday.

"I am not only here to witness a historical moment, but to learn about our nation's capital," Ms. Praeli said in an email interview.

"It would be difficult to explain the emotions I felt as I stood in front of the Lincoln Memorial -- I couldn't believe I was standing there!

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"All I could think about was what this meant -- Dr. King had delivered the powerful words of his 'I Have a Dream' on those steps. On the walls of the memorial was Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. There were simply no words."

Ms. Praeli, a sophomore political science and sociology major, is one of 15 students from
Quinnipiac University
with faculty leader
Scott McLean
to participate in the Washington Center's Presidential Inauguration Seminar this week, said
John Morgan
, Quinnipiac spokesman.

The intensive seminar, which has 750 participants, examines the presidential transition process and the role of the media.

Campaigning in New Hampshire last January with the zeal of other volunteers has made the reality of this week all the more meaningful for Ms. Praeli.

"I decided to come to Washington D.C. because I knew I could not be home or anywhere else," she said. "

The 20-year-old
New Milford High School
graduate's days, that since Sunday begin at 6 a.m. and go until 9 p.m., include hearing speakers such as
Juan Williams
, a news analyst for National Public Radio, and
Bret Baier
from FOX News during the seminar.

"For many years, the word 'politician' and 'politics' always carried a negative connotation," Ms. Praeli said.

"Yet, what I saw in New Hampshire and what I am witnessing in Washington D.C. as we speak, is the other part of politics, the part people often overlook or forget to mention, which is our ability to make positive change, to believe in a nation, and to fight for people and about issues that matter through civic engagement."